System for preventing crime in high traffic areas and sites using low voltage power

Abstract

A substantially automatic, robotic-like system to aid in preventing crime in high trafficked buildings and other public sites, using only low voltage power, is described. In various modes it can protect public buildings such as schools, stadiums, open air markets, banks, office buildings from entrance of persons carrying weapons or separately trying to pass weapons into a protected area, even in the event of general power loss. Here a well designed, compact solution is provided for weapons detection and the detainment of persons attempting to disrupt, destroy or harm citizens in public buildings such as schools, banks, etc. with a minimum of restriction of access by persons regularly using the facilities. In other variations, it can be used to prevent unauthorized removal of costly or dangerous items from protected buildings or areas. Here a substantially automatic method is similarly provided for detection and detention of persons attempting to illegally remove items either without paying or that are not for sale in a store setting.

1. A substantially automatic, compact, robotic-like, security system for preventing crime in high traffic buildings comprising:
 at least one revolving door unit; 
 a geared flywheel fixed to said revolving door unit, wherein the geared flywheel in operation restricts rotation of the revolving door unit in an anti-clockwise direction only; 
 a semi-circular inside wall, wherein the at least one revolving door unit includes two pairs of door panels that revolve within the semi-circular wall, and the two pairs of door panels define at least four zones; 
 said at least four zones including, in operation, at least two zones defining independent isolated chambers, wherein each independent isolated chamber is formed by two door panels and said inside semi-circular wall; 
 four equidistant plunger accepting cylinders attached to said geared flywheel; 
 one plunger attached to a fixed section of said semi-circular wall; 
 wherein a respective timing apprehension position of the revolving door unit is defined each time a respective plunger accepting cylinder is located opposite a plunger; 
 a low voltage electromechanical subsystem including at least two personnel detectors, below said revolving doors, which are activated by personnel stepping over them; and at least two other detectors positioned to scan within said independent isolated chambers; and 
 a substantially automatic means for electromechanically stopping said revolving door, without alerting person within revolving door, only when (i) a timing apprehension position of said revolving door unit is achieved and (ii) a signal is received from one or more of said detectors, for thwarting an illegal activity, which when stopped forms said independent isolated chambers from which access/exchange with an open chamber is not achievable. 
 
     
     
       2. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one additional plunger, wherein each of the plungers is affixed at the center of a respective zone along said semi-circular wall, and said timing apprehension position is achieved when plunger accepting cylinders are located opposite at least two respective plungers. 
     
     
       3. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one detector of said at least two other detectors is a radio frequency (RF) weapon detector positioned above an entry way of said revolving door unit's at least four zones;
 two of said revolving door unit's at least four zones are dead zones permitting no entry without at least one of detection and apprehension; 
 wherein each of said dead zones excludes the possibility of passing a weapon through by a person in said dead zone, and a person in said dead zone cannot receive aid in doing so from someone inside said protected area; and 
 wherein said door panels use transparent material. 
 
     
     
       4. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 3 , wherein said low voltage electromechanical subsystem comprises a series of latching relays, magnetic switches and a magnetic lock, which apprehends a person entering said revolving door unit while possessing a weapon. 
     
     
       5. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 1 , wherein one detector of said at least two other detectors is an electromagnetic detector, capable of detecting magnetic tape attached to a protected article, and which is positioned above an exit way; and at least one zone of said revolving door unit's at least four zones is a dead zone permitting no uninterrupted passage, and wherein said door panels use at least one of shatter proof glass and plastic. 
     
     
       6. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 5 , wherein said low voltage electromechanical subsystem comprises a series of latching relays, magnetic switches and a magnetic lock, which apprehends a person entering said revolving door unit while possessing a protected merchandise item within one of said independent isolated chambers. 
     
     
       7. The substantially automatic system for protecting buildings according to  claim 5 , wherein said low voltage electromechanical subsystem comprises a series of latching relays, magnetic switches and a magnetic lock, which captures a protected merchandise item in one of said independent isolated chambers even without being accompanied by a person. 
     
     
       8. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a radio frequency (RF) receiver to activate said security system upon receiving a signal from a RF transmitter positioned away from said at least one revolving door unit. 
     
     
       9. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one revolving door unit functions as an entry to a high traffic building/remote site independent of any power grid. 
     
     
       10. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 9 , wherein, prior to detection of a potential illegal activity, general public is provided substantially unfettered entrance to and egress from a protected area. 
     
     
       11. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one revolving door unit functions as an exit to a high traffic building. 
     
     
       12. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 1 , wherein said high traffic building/remote site is protected at both entry and exit by at least one said revolving door unit in each area. 
     
     
       13. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 1 , wherein entrance and egress require no electrical power, and wherein detection and capture require no exterior electrical power beyond that of said low voltage subsystem. 
     
     
       14. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 1 , wherein electrical power for said low voltage subsystem is by means of a self-contained low voltage battery. 
     
     
       15. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 14 , wherein said self-contained low voltage source is an automotive-style 12V DC battery. 
     
     
       16. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 1 , wherein said system is essentially portable for temporary deployment at remote sites experiencing high traffic and a need for security. 
     
     
       17. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 3 , wherein the transparent material is at least one of bullet proof glass and bullet proof plastic. 
     
     
       18. The substantially automatic security system according to  claim 5 , wherein the uninterrupted passage is entry without apprehension/detention.